Strut/Susp. on '96 850

[bpc2646]

I had the Volvo (1996 850 Turbo wagon) in the shop because I have been hearing a loud clunking/banging in the front left side when going over rough roads and/or when turning. The shop replaced the control arm and called it a day. I still hear the noise so I did some investigating myself and this is what I saw as far the struts go. I think it's safe to say that they aren't supposed to look like this but I want to be sure this is the cause of the noise before I go and have more work done. Any thoughts?

[Ozark Lee]

From the pictures I can't tell exactly what is shot. Your spring seat is a goner for sure but the eccentric symmetry from the above shot may indicate bad strut bearings as well. You won't know for sure until you remove the strut and check the strut bearing for lateral play.

It is normal for the inverted castle washer to have 1/4" or so of clearance between the bottom of the large washer and the top of the strut bearing.

For spring seats most of us have been using either OEM XC90 spring seats or the IPD HD spring seats - that may be a lifetime solution that you never need to think about again. If you use aftermarket spring seats you will be doing this job all over again - typically within 6 months or so.

The OEM strut bearings are painfully expensive and the aftermarket parts, at about 1/5th of the price, are trying to seduce you. Don't do it! I would rather have an OEM strut bearing out of a junk yard than a brand new aftermarket.

...Lee